The fourth tornado outbreak of the year for the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area, and the second major tornado outbreak for the year, occurred across the southern portion of the forecast area, or central Georgia. A broad upper trough over the central U.S. was tracking eastward while a surface low deepened rapidly as it moved from northern Mississippi into eastern Virginia. A strong low-level jet accompanied the system with 50-60 knot winds observed at 850mb across central and south Georgia late in the day on the 14th. The low-level jet transported deep Gulf moisture northward into the region. Sunshine during the early part of the day destabilized the region sufficiently to allow for strong to severe supercell thunderstorms to track across central Georgia just south of a warm frontal boundary across north Georgia. Damage surveys confirmed that nine tornadoes tracked across central Georgia, including many of the same areas that were affected during the major tornado outbreak on March 1st. The was the second most significant tornado outbreak to impact the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area since the August 29, 2005 outbreak associated with Hurricane Katrinia. The state insurance commissioner reported that at least 81 site-built homes, 28 mobile homes, and 10 businesses were damaged or destroyed during the event. Damages to structures alone were near $5 million, with additional damages the result of downed trees and power lines.

Event Narrative

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet a second tornado had touched down in southern Laurens county. The tornado occurred almost simultaneously with the first tornado that tracked just south of Dublin. This tornado touched down about 4.0 miles north-northeast of the town of Cedar Grove and tracked east-northeast lifting about 1.5 miles north-northeast of Lowrey in southeast Laurens county. The total path length of the tornado was approximately six miles with a maximum path width of 50 yards. The maximum determined wind speed was 80 mph. Numerous trees were downed along the path of the tornado, which tracked through a mostly forested area. However, a few outbuildings were damaged near Mortan and Rock Springs Road.